IIRC, the '75 and '76 models had the cats under the hood, just under the exhaust headers, and those got the engine compartment really hot. The earlier and later models aren't as bad (though still hot enough). Since it wasn't driven much voer the last several years, the rubber might last for several more years. That being said, the LARGE Folgers cans for collecting the replacement fund is still a good idea.
On Wed, Mar 28, 2012 at 8:29 PM, Dan Penoff <lwb...@yahoo.com> wrote: > Having looked at more of these than I care to recall, 11 years is a very, > very long time in under hood temperature time. One of the most deleterious > aspects of this particular year and model is the horrendous amount of heat > that is produced and captured under the hood. It simply roasts rubber > parts to the point of turning them into a hard, coal or Bakelite-like > substance. While they often appear good, bending or flexing them will > immediately cause them to crack and even shatter. > > It's also a situation where if one piece goes bad, you're going to have to > do the rest since they'll have to come off anyway. > > That's not to say they are bad, since your ambient temps are somewhat > lower up there, but you might want to get out a Maxwell House can and start > dropping loose (not lose!) change into it for the "rubber fund". > > It's coming - it's not a matter of if, but when. > > Congrats on the acquisition! I envy you. > > Does it have the hard top? > > Dan > -- OK Don 2001 ML320 1992 300D 2.5T 1990 300D 2.5T 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
